Cervical Seal

Abstract

A thermal ablation device includes an elongated member sized and shaped for insertion into a uterus via a cervical opening. The elongated member defines a first lumen extending therethrough to a first distal opening which, when the apparatus is in an operative position, opens into the uterus and a seal positioned on the elongated member so that, when the elongated member is in the operative position, the seal engages cervical tissue around a circumference of the elongated member and prevent fluids introduced into the uterus via the first lumen from flowing therepast into the cervix. The seal includes a plurality of flexible members separated from one another along a length of the elongated member and projecting radially outward from an outer surface of the elongated member.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A thermal ablation device, comprising:
 an elongated member sized and shaped for insertion into a uterus via a cervical opening, the elongated member defining a first lumen extending therethrough to a first distal opening which, when the apparatus is in an operative position, opens into the uterus and a second lumen extending therethrough to a second distal opening which, when the apparatus is in the operative position, opens into the uterus;   a base member positioned over a portion of the elongated member so that, when a distal end of the elongated member is open to the uterus, the base member is received within the cervical canal; and   a passive seal positioned on the base member, the seal including a plurality of deflectable flexible members separated from one another along a length of the base member, the deflectable members being permanently positioned to project radially outward from an outer surface of the base member so that, when the elongated member is in the operative position, the seal is adapted without actuation to engage cervical tissue around a circumference of the base member and prevent fluid introduced into the uterus via the first lumen from flowing therepast into the cervix.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the flexible members are substantially disc-shaped and are deflectable proximally and distally when compressed by contact with surrounding tissue. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the base member is an elongate cylindrical fitting bonded to the thermal ablation device. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the base member is an elongated cylindrical fitting molded into the thermal ablation device. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the seal is formed of silicone. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , where each of the flexible members is approximately 0.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein an outer diameter of each of the flexible members is approximately 11 mm. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein when the second distal opening opens into the uterus, the second lumen is operative to withdraw fluid from the uterus. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein each of the first and second lumens has a D-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         39 . A thermal ablation system, comprising:
 an elongated member sized and shaped for insertion into a uterus via a cervical opening, the elongated member defining a first lumen extending therethrough to a first distal opening which, when the apparatus is in an operative position, opens into the uterus and a second lumen extending therethrough to a second distal opening which, when the apparatus is in the operative position, opens into the uterus, the first and second lumens having a D-shaped cross-section, the elongated member including a seal positioned on a base member provided on a distal portion of the elongated member, the seal including a plurality of deflectable members permanently positioned to project radially outward from an outer surface of the base member so that, when the elongated member is in the operative position, the seal is adapted without actuation to engage cervical tissue around a circumference of the base member and prevent fluid introduced into the uterus via the first lumen from flowing therepast into the cervix; and   a fluid handling unit fluidly coupled to a proximal end of the first lumen, the fluid handling unit supplying heated fluid to the first lumen.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising an introducer coupled to a proximal end of the elongated member including a grip and a scope connector extending proximally therefrom. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the grip is sized and shaped for single-handed use. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising a tenaculum stabilizer located on a proximal portion of the introducer. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein a proximal end of the second lumen is in fluid communication with the fluid handling unit to withdraw fluid from the uterus. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the fluid handling unit returns fluid withdrawn from the uterus to the first lumen for resupply to the uterus. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the fluid handling unit forwards fluid from the second lumen to a waste collection unit. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the seal is formed of silicone. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 39 , where each of the flexible members is approximately 0.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein an outer diameter of each of the flexible members is approximately 11 mm.